Vertebral spinal osteophytes

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a common complication in the elderly and is often associated with osteophyte growth on vertebral bodies. The clinical presentation of vertebral osteophytes is related to anatomical structures adjacent to the spinal column. For instance, cervical osteophytes potentially involve the pharynx and esophagus, leading to dysphagic symptoms that may be accompanied by food aspiration, vocal fold paralysis and obstructive sleep apnea. In addition to anterior cervical osteophytes, posterior and uncinate process osteophytes may form, compressing the spinal cord and vertebral artery blood supply, respectively. Cervical osteophytes have also been shown to form an accessory median atlanto-occipital joint when the relationship between the atlas, dens and basiocciput is involved. In the thorax, the esophagus is often affected by osteophytes and may result in dysphagia. Traumatic and non-traumatic thoracic aorta pseudoaneurysm formation has been attributed to sharp osteophytes lacerating the aorta, a direct complication of the relationship between the aorta anterior vertebral column. Additionally, aspiration pneumonia was reported in patients with compression of a main stem bronchus, due to mechanical compression by thoracic osteophytes. In the lumbar spinal region, the two major structures in close proximity to the spine are the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta, both of which have been reported to be affected by osteophytes. Treatment of osteophytes is initially conservative with anti-inflammatory medications, followed by surgical removal. Increasing obesity and geriatric populations will continue to result in an array of osteoarthritic degenerative changes such as osteophyte formation.

The potential utility of high-intensity ultrasound to treat osteoarthritis

“…4] and changes in joint anatomy include the formation and development of osteophytes 2,14 . Osteophytes that restrict joint mobility are often removed surgically 1,83 .…”

Cervical osteophyte resulting in compression of the jugular foramen

“…Osteophytes of the atlas and axis affect structures of the basiocciput, those of C2-3 involve the posterior pharynx, and bony growths of C4-7 diminish the retropharyngeal space and compress the larynx and esophagus. 15 With the esophagus resting on the anterior border of C4-7, anterior cervical osteophytes have repeatedly been found to mechanically disrupt normal esophageal or laryngeal function, resulting in dysphagia. 3,8,10,19 While anterior osteophytes are known to cause dysphagia, osteophytes of the posterior vertebral body causing dysphagia are much more rare.…”

Defining Normal Vertebral End Plates Cobb Angle from T12 to L4 Using Computerized Tomography in Sudanese Populations

“…The difference in the measurements of vertebral wedging in different age group reflects that the vertebral morphology changed due to age [1] The increase in endplate size can also be explained by the growth of bone spurs at the vertebral rim, known as osteophytes [26]. The vertebral body endplates have shown to become more concave with age [27] which is believed to be the result of a decreased structural integrity of the mid vertebral body.…”